Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in CALGARY was founded in 1916 to help meet the demand for skilled technicians and tradespeople in Alberta. Originally named the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art, SAIT began as a training facility for a handful of students but has grown to serve 57 600 learners a year. By 1918 SAIT was the centre of training for civilians and a number of soldiers who had returned from the war to upgrade their skills and learn the latest technology. The school flourished over the years and its role in training Canadian soldiers increased. In 1940 the Royal Canadian Air Force temporarily took over the institute's buildings for use as the No. 2 Wireless Training School. SAIT added an athletic component and joined the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in 1964. SAIT is currently represented in 6 major collegiate-level sports.

SAIT opened its fifth centre of applied technology in late 1997. These state-of-the-practice centres are designed and built in cooperation with Alberta industry and are used for training SAIT students and employees in industry, and as technology demonstration sites by participating companies.

Along with apprenticeship training in 25 trades, SAIT offers 69 diploma and certificate programs in aviation, business, communications, engineering technologies, health, hospitality, recreation and transportation. Two applied degree programs are also available, one of which is offered in conjunction with the NORTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY in Edmonton. SAIT has an enrolment of 950 students and boasts a 96% employment rate after graduation.